Sisters by Choice (Blackberry Island #4)(109)

“Not a test, Sophie.”

“Then what?”

He kissed her again. “I’m letting you figure out what you want from me.”

“Aside from sex?”

“Yes.”

“Why does it have to be complicated?”

“I’m not looking for complicated, but I do want to know where we stand. Right now you don’t have a clue.”

She took a step back and put her hands on her hips. “That is so like a man.”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I know. Could I be more annoying?”

“Not really.”

They were both laughing, but Sophie was pretty sure that neither of them was joking. Dugan obviously wanted something from her and he was willing to wait to get it. The problem was Sophie had no idea what that was. And even if she did, giving it was going to be an issue. What if Dugan needed more than she was capable of? What if the price of keeping him was higher than she was willing to pay? What if, at the end of the day, the only thing she was good at was work?

  Kristine found herself once again fighting nerves at the thought of seeing Jaxsen. Equally unsettling was the indecision about how to handle the dinner. Part of her wanted to use the dining room and the good china and make everything fancy, but the rest of her said that was a bad idea. She’d been so careful to downplay Jaxsen’s absence. When the boys asked about it, she said they were dealing with some issues and needed time and distance to get perspective. Turning his joining them for dinner into a special occasion meant that wasn’t true and whatever happened between her and Jaxsen, she didn’t want the boys to worry.

To that end, she asked JJ to set the kitchen table, as per usual, casually mentioning their dad would be joining them.

JJ took in the information, washing his hands and said, “Can I go to Brandon’s house tomorrow? His uncle just bought a Mercedes SLK and he’s bringing it over and we’re all going to wax it.”

So much for JJ wrestling with the emotional significance of his father having dinner with them for the first time in a month.

“Sure,” she said with a smile. “When you’re done there, maybe you can bring Brandon home and wax my SUV.”

“Mo-om, it’s not the same. Do you even know what an SLK is?”

“An expensive car?”

“It’s a convertible and it has a—”

She held up her hand. “I beg you. Spare me the engine, suspension, torque, horsepower conversation. I believe you. It’s special.”

“You should care more about cars. They’re really interesting.”

She paused to ruffle his hair. “If you say so.”

JJ sighed. “You’re such a girl.”

“Good to know.”

She checked on the two chickens she’d put in the oven to roast. She’d added baby new potatoes to the pan. She’d already made a salad and there were green beans waiting to be steamed. She’d bought ice cream when she’d picked up the chickens. It was a nicer meal than they would ordinarily have on a busy night, but not so fancy that anyone would notice and comment.

Right at five thirty she heard the sound of Jaxsen’s truck pulling into the driveway. Her body went on alert as her stomach tightened. She told herself to just keep breathing. That tonight wasn’t especially significant. She and Jaxsen needed time to find their way back together. Things weren’t going to be healed in a single meal and she shouldn’t put pressure on either of them.

Tommy and Grant raced in ahead of their father, bringing plenty of loud conversation and chaos with them.

“There’s a summer baseball league,” Grant said. “I’ll be old enough and I want to join.”

“Mom, I finished my math homework and I need you to check it.” Tommy dropped his backpack in the middle of the floor and sniffed. “Are we having chicken?” He spotted his brother. “Is Brandon’s uncle really bringing his SLK over tomorrow?”

“Yeah. We’re going to wax it.”

Tommy turned to her. “Mom, can I go with JJ to Brandon’s house to see the car?”

“Backpack upstairs,” she said. “Then wash your hands. Let’s talk about the car waxing later. Grant, get me the link to the camp and I’ll look it over with your dad.”

She managed to keep herself distracted until all three boys left the kitchen. Only then did she turn to Jaxsen.

He looked as he always did—tall and strong, with dark hair—but his usual ease was missing, which made her feel better. She was glad she wasn’t the only one who was nervous.

“Hi,” he said, holding out a bottle of wine. “I bought this because...” He cleared his throat. “Thanks for having me over for dinner.”

She thought about pointing out that if he hadn’t moved into his parents’ house, they wouldn’t be dealing with this right now, but then he would say he’d only done that because he wasn’t happy about her opening the business and they still hadn’t talked about whether or not he’d truly left their marriage and what she was going to do if he had, which meant all she could say was, “You’re welcome.”

They smiled at each other.

“I’m sorry this is awkward,” he said. “I’ve been gone too long.”